Car Accidents with Pedestrians

Car accidents with pedestrians can be a scary experience but they are not uncommon. In 2006 alone, more than 60,000 traffic accidents were reported by the NHTSA that involved pedestrians. If a pedestrian is hit by a high-speed car, it can severely disable the pedestrian, causing serious injuries and even lead to fatality.

Automobile drivers should be familiar with the steps they need to take if they are involved in an accident with a pedestrian. Here is a list of what they should do:

First of all, it is very important to remain calm and focused after the accident. If you hit a pedestrian, you may get extremely upset based on how everything happened and by looking at the condition of the pedestrian. Shock sets in very soon. You need to take a deep breath and focus on what you have to do.

The second step to do is to check the pedestrian who has been hit. Get help immediately if they need medical assistance. Call 911 and never ever try to administer medical treatment on your own, unless you know what you’re doing.

The next step after getting medical help is to get legal help. Call the police to report the incident. Get information from the pedestrian or from someone who is with the pedestrian, like the victim’s name, age, and identification and so on. Do not engage in further conversation. Just exchange the contact details.

You also need to get in touch with a criminal defense attorney to defend the criminal charges you will be facing after hitting the pedestrian. If you were driving under the influence and hit the pedestrian, you’ll need to contact an experienced DUI defense attorney right away. Taking the charges lightly will only worsen the matter and increase the penalties.

Lastly, you also need to contact your insurance agent and the insurance provider of the pedestrian involved in the accident. Give truthful information to the police and to your insurance agent. Everything should be clear in your mind. Do not change your statement again and again as it will cause trouble later on.

These are some of the basic steps you need to take if you have been in an accident with a pedestrian. Speaking with the right parties can minimize your liability. Drivers should also familiarize themselves with the steps they can take to prevent such accidents altogether.

When talking to the pedestrian or someone with them, never ever make statements that could expose you as the one at fault. Admitting guilt or saying that the accident was your fault should be avoided at all costs. Also, avoid speaking with the other party’s insurance company or their attorney, as well as the pedestrian directly.

Determining Fault

Determining fault after the accident involving a pedestrian is one of the biggest questions in such cases. Like any other personal injury case, the fault is determined by the law of negligence. If someone failed to exercise a reasonable standard of care, whether it was the pedestrian or the driver, they will be held at fault. In most cases, both the driver and the pedestrian are held at fault. Therefore, it is advised to contact a criminal defense lawyer to defend any criminal charges you may be facing as a result of the accident.

Guest Post

Since 1986, the law firm of Mace Yampolsky & Associates has been defending the rights of clients throughout Southern Nevada.